SWEATSHOPS

ANTI-SWEATSHOPS


A Sweatshop is a working facility with very difficult or dangerous conditions, usually where the workers have few rights or ways to address their absence of necessary rights. This can include exposure to harmful materials, hazardous situations, extreme temperatures, or sexual abuse from employers. Sweatshop employees are often forced to work long hours for little or no pay, regardless of any laws mandating overtime pay or a minimum wage. Child labor laws may almost certainly be violated as well. Although sweatshops are knowledgeably illegal, the companies and people that support them and buy into them choose to turn their heads when asked about the touchy subject.
I choose to follow those who stand against this inhuman and criminal act in our society. Sweatshops are found in countries like China, India, and even here in the United States. If we don’t do something now our jobs and the lives of those who slave day in and day out in the sweatshops will most certainly be in danger. In the Fashion Industry, sweatshops are just apart of what you sign up for. Without the sweatshops, clothing companies such as Liz Claiborne and Nike would have to fork over more money to pay for labor here in the US. They would never do this because it means more money lost for the company and less profit for themselves. But if some how we all got on board and work together to but an end to the production of sweatshops we could change the world and the lives of those working in the sweatshops.
I believe that everyone, White, Black, Indian, Muslim, Chinese, or Asian should have the same opportunities as we do here in America. I think it is our duty as American citizens to help different countries better themselves, because whether our country is thriving or not, we are weak if we don’t do our part and help. These people that have to work in sweatshops to support their families should be payed properly, even if that means that clothing companies have to pay a little bit more money to have their clothing made legally. Not just because it's the right thing to do but because when we do this we are undoubtedly shaving thousands upon thousands of lives.

Milan fashion week

Spring 2009 Milan Fashion Week

In a time when our economy is a bad place right now, the fashion industry is at a bit of a transitional point right now. Usually when you think of Milan fashion week, above all you think of cutting edge looks and the highest of all the fashion weeks. But this year we saw a lot more usable clothing compared to past years. Due to the war going on in Iraq, our gas shortage, stock market crass, and the global warming crisis designers have I think realized that woman want durable, usable, and long lasting clothing that they can pull out of their closet year after year.
In Milan this year designers showed a lot of transparent pieces that appealed to the innocents and sensual side of woman that lets them have an escape from reality. Also the 20’s fringe was a big trend this year also, because again the designers strives to have classic pieces that women could wear over and over again. Instead of the typical space age collections that we usually see from the runways of Milan, we saw classic vintage 20’s, transparent fabric, and geometric shapes in their place.
Each year we expect to see artistic clothing that is cutting edge in the fashion industry and always ahead of the pact. But this year usable clothing was shown, for the most part, in Milan. Aside from the big height trend with extremely high platform heels and exaggerated geometric shapes, the collections this year in Milan were very usable instead of the more artistic look.

Trends of the paris Fashion Week

Trends of the Paris Fashion Week

Tribal Chic

Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton were both designers that brought a tribal element into their collections at Paris Fashion Week. Louis Vuitton’s collection brought an ethnic feel to his elaborate and big jewelry pieces. His shoes were a masterpiece in themselves, telling a story of a girl trapped in a luxurious African jungle. McQueen collection was a different tribal feel, in that it spoke more futuristically than traditional like Vuittons. He showed different and elaborate patterns on architecturally, eye-popping clothes. The visually stunning jewels and luxurious fabric brought a modern approach to these tribal inspired collections.

Feminine Elegance

Designers like Lanvin, John Galliano, and Chloe; all showed collections that were very feminine and flattering for all body types. Lanvin’s collection was monotone in color, but seemed to flow with ease off the body. It’s architecturally modern elements makes his piece modern. John Galliano’s collection was feminine, but with a very apparent inspiration from “little Bo Peep” and “Alice and Wonderland”. His pieces felt dreamlike and very fantasy inspired. Chloe’s collection, on the other hand was young and fresh. It was more addressed to a younger audience with soft pastel colors and elegant cuts on dresses and jumpsuits.

Inspiration and Design

Inspiration and Design

When I sit down and start sketching out a new design of mine for fun, I usually do so when the mood strikes me. This means when I'm outside and I see something in nature that I find beautiful and inspires me, I get my sketch pad and pencil and I start drawing. I find my inspiration in the flowers, leaves and simplicity of the trees. The simplest form of nature can capture your eye and make you think of a beautiful piece of clothing that can come from it. When I was walking through the woods with my sister and dog I got inspired by the way the autumn wind blow the leaves on the trees. So I immediately thought of a wide leg trouser pant that would emulate the length of the trees and a flowing Shaw wrap that resembles the tops of the trees. The argyle print tied the look together for this fall look. So whenever the mood strikes me to pick up a pencil and piece of paper I sketch exactly whats on my mind at the time and start drawing.